SAB at PER Ice Arena
The Mike + The Mechanics concert at SUNY Cortland took place during the latter half of the 1980s, marking a key moment in the final chapter of the university’s legendary “golden age” of campus concerts.
The English pop-rock supergroup—formed by Genesis co-founder Mike Rutherford—was brought to the campus by the university’s College Arts and Lecture Series (CALS). The performance is officially preserved as a core part of the SUNY Cortland Musical Legacy Commemorative Project, which honors the historic musicians who played the campus between 1960 and 1990.
The key details surrounding the historic concert include:
The Era and Campus Shift
By 1985, the massive arena-style rock concerts that dominated SUNY Cortland in the 1970s (featuring acts like Billy Joel and the Eagles) were facing rising industry booking costs. The college president disbanded the traditional Concert Commission and shifted booking duties to CALS and the Student Activity Board (SAB). Under this new direction, campus organizers focused on high-quality variety, jazz, and chart-topping contemporary acts. Mike + The Mechanics were booked as a premier showcase of this new programming era, sharing the late-80s campus spotlight with acts like The Kinks, Chuck Mangione, and Doc Severinsen.
Behind-the-Scenes Production
The concert was produced with the help of Kevin Pristash, who took over as the university’s student event technical director in 1986. Pristash handled the complex contract negotiations and technical production required to bring the global hitmakers to a college campus setting.
The Setlist and Sound
While the exact date and specific campus venue (such as Corey Union or Lusk Field House) are part of the localized archives, the band toured the college circuit on the heels of their massive global success. Concertgoers during this era experienced the band at their commercial peak, featuring the distinct dual lead vocals of Paul Carrack and Paul Young. The setlist heavily relied on tracks from their self-titled 1985 debut and their smash 1988 album Living Years, delivering live performances of massive Billboard hits.
